Open Access

ABSTRACT

Experimental and Theoretical Investigations on Carbon Nanotube-Based Materials for Sensors and Actuators

Erik T. Thostenson¹, Chunyu Li¹, Tsu-Wei Chou¹

1 University of Delaware Center for Composite Materials and Department of Mechanical Engineering Newark, DE 19716 USA

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences 2007, 3(1), 29-34. https://doi.org/10.3970/icces.2007.003.029

Abstract

With their well-known novel mechanical and electrical properties, carbon nanotubes are inherently multifunctional. Toward the development of multifunctional composite materials we have experimentally and theoretically investigated the use of carbon nanotubes as sensors and actuators. In this research work, we consider the nanotube within an external electric field with non-uniform charge distribution. Subsequently the charge induced deformations are investigated. We also demonstrate that conducting carbon nanotube networks formed in an epoxy polymer matrix can be utilized as highly-sensitive sensors for detecting the onset, nature and evolution of damage in advanced polymer-based composites. Using direct-current measurements the internal damage accumulation can be monitored in situ.

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